Hard Surface Connection System, Method and Product

Abstract

A tile system for covering a surface. The tile system comprises first and second tile assemblies, each tile assembly having a connector comprising a first attachment feature and a second attachment feature. The first attachment component is configured to engage with a corresponding second attachment component of an adjacent connector. The connectors include or are configured to receive at least one magnetic component and preferably to maintain a gap between complementary magnetic elements when the first and second tile assemblies are connected. Also provided is a tool for removing a tile assembly from the tile system.

1 . A tile system for installation on a free floating basis to form a surface covering on a substrate without bonding the tile assembly to the substrate, the tile system comprising:
 a first tile assembly configured for connection to a second tile assembly, each of the first and second tile assemblies comprising:
 a first attachment component connected thereto and extending along a side surface of a first tile of the first tile assembly, the first attachment component including at least one polymeric surface contacting the side surface of the first tile assembly, the side surface of the first tile having one or more magnetic elements connected thereto; and 
 a second attachment component connected thereto and extending along a side surface of a second tile of the second tile assembly, the second attachment including at least one polymeric surface contacting the side surface of the first tile assembly, and the side surface of the second tile having one or more other magnetic elements, complementary to the one or more magnetic elements of the first tile assembly, connected thereto and positioned such that there is a magnetic force of attraction between the complementary magnetic elements. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic elements of the first and second attachment components are protruding from the side surfaces less than the polymeric surfaces such that there is a space between complementary magnetic elements. 
     
     
         3 . The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tile is bonded to a layer of stabilizing material. 
     
     
         4 . The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second attachment components are connected to each side surface of the first and second tiles, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second attachment components are the same shape as the tiles, and extend along each side surface of the first and second tiles, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The tile system of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second attachment components each include two polymeric tongues on two opposing sides of the tiles, and two complementary polymeric grooves on two other opposing sides of the tiles, and the magnetic force compresses the attachment components so as to create a water resistant seal between the tile assemblies that has the appearance of grout. 
     
     
         7 . The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one magnetic element has a thickness that is less than the width and length, a width that is less than the length and more than the thickness, and a length greater than the thickness and width. 
     
     
         8 . The tile system  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tile assemblies each comprises:
 two of the magnetic elements on each of the side surfaces, the two magnetic elements being on opposite sides of one of the at least one polymeric surface.   
     
     
         9 . The tile system of  claim 8 , wherein the two magnetic elements are from about 3 to about 9 inches apart from one another. 
     
     
         10 . The tile system of  claim 9 , wherein the two magnetic elements are about 6 inches apart from one another. 
     
     
         11 . The tile system of  claim 5 , wherein the length is from about 40 mm to about 60 mm, the width is from about 2 mm to about 6 mm, and the thickness is from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The tile system of  claim 11 , wherein the length is about 48 mm, the width is about 4 mm, and the thickness is about 1.2 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the magnetic elements is a neodymium magnet. 
     
     
         14 . The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein the space between the complementary magnetic elements is at least 0.02 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein the space between the complementary magnetics is from about 0.4 mm to about 0.8 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein the space between the complementary magnetic elements is from about 0.5 to about 0.7 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the first and second attachment features in contact with the sides of the first and second tiles are roughened to promote adherence between the attachment features and the sides. 
     
     
         18 . The tile system of  claim 17 , wherein the inner surface of the first and second attachment features is treated with plasma light or corona light. 
     
     
         19 . The tile system of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second attachment features are connected to the sides by an adhesive, and an inner surface of the first and second attachment features has defined therein small apertures to strengthen adhesion provided by the adhesive. 
     
     
         20 . A frame for receiving a polymeric attachment feature, the frame and polymeric attachment feature having a similar shape, the frame comprising:
 four sides, each of the sides including a compressible joint permitting a reduction in length of each side of the frame in response to an applied force, so as to facilitate placement of the polymeric attachment feature therearound when the compressible joint is at least partially compressed, the frame having a maximum width and length larger than a width and length of the polymeric attachment feature.   
     
     
         21 . The frame of  claim 20 , wherein the compressible joints include a spring. 
     
     
         22 . The frame of  claim 20 , wherein upper and lower surfaces of the frame have protrusions and recesses, respectfully, defined therein for receiving protrusions and recesses of other frames to facilitate stacking of the frames. 
     
     
         23 . The frame of  claim 20 , wherein the length and the width of the frame are from about 1 mm to about 5 mm larger than the length and the width of the polymeric attachment feature. 
     
     
         24 . The frame of  claim 20 , further comprising holes at each corner thereof that are engageable to compress the compressible joints.